Higgins and Sargent come in as Wales name side to face Ireland

Wales head coach Alan Caron has made two changes to his eight-player side to face Ireland in the second round of the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong on Tuesday. Kick-off is 5am GMT (4pm local).

Who is in

Birmingham Hurricanes pair Lee Sargent and Andrew Higgins, who were reserves last week, replace John Berriman and 16-year-old Fionn McCabe, who are rested. Higgins is Wales' top points scorer with 511 in 37 matches, and two goals will take him to 150 for Wales. Vice-captain Stuart Williams is one try short of 75 for his country.

Sid Ramsey and Matthew Turner stay in the side. Turner is two tries short of 50 this season for club and country and turns 17 on matchday. Gareth Ramsey and Martin Turner are reserves, and one of them will be named ninth player, used only if there is a head injury.

Boyd-Ward nears 50

Captain Jodie Boyd-Ward is set for her 49th international cap across Wales, Ireland and England. Wales Rugby League says a 50th against the USA on Friday would make her the first wheelchair player to reach that mark.

Ireland's recent edge

This is the 18th meeting between the sides. Wales have won 10 of the previous 17, with one draw, including at the 2013 World Cup, but Ireland have won the last three and beat Wales 50-38 in the Celtic Cup in May.

"Ireland have won the last three, but the games have been getting closer over the last couple of years," Caron said. "Hopefully we can achieve our overall goal tomorrow and take a step further to the semi-finals." Caron said rotation matters with five matches in a fortnight.

How to watch

The match is live on Premier Sports in Wales and on 7+ in Australia. Wales lost 98-18 to England in the opener and face the USA on Friday 6 November.

Wales squad

Sid Ramsey; Lee Sargent; Andrew Higgins; Jodie Boyd-Ward; Jonathan Gill; Stuart Williams; Matthew Turner; Mark Williams. Reserves: Gareth Ramsey, Martin Turner.